Tea Tree Oil Uses In Health

Antiseptic Properties

There are many studies supporting tea tree oil's antiseptic properties, thus indicating it could be a useful agent for fighting against infections. The oil is a major source of phytochemicals called terpenoids, which consist of terpinen-4-ol, terpinolene, 1,8-cineole, alpha-terpineol, alpha-terpinene, rho-cymene, linalool, and gamma-terpinene, among others.

Several components of tea tree oil, including terpinen-4-ol, were shown to be active against microorganisms such as Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus in one review. In another review, tea tree oil was shown to stop the growth of germ tubes induced by Candida albicans. Research from 2001 revealed tea tree oil had greater effects against both herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 compared to eucalyptus oil. The oil eliminated 98.2 percent of virus titers for HSV-1 and ninety-three percent for HSV-2. In addition, both oils were demonstrated to be active before viral infection. Despite the studies, however, research into tea tree oil's antiseptic properties is ongoing. Other than that, tea tree oil is used as a regular ingredient in hand soap.